Robert Treat Academy is Proof Extraordinary Education is Possible for All

Glenn FriesonU.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, the first Hispanic woman to sit on the federal bench in New Jersey, addresses graduates of the Robert Treat Academy.

Robert Treat Academy is living proof that an “extraordinary education” is possible for all children, state Education Commissioner Chris Cerf told graduates of the Newark charter school.

“Robert Treat represents the incredibly powerful message that it can be done, and it can be done well, and that zip code and birth circumstances and what country your parents happen to be born in are not destiny in this country,” Cerf said.

“There are a lot of people who doubt that,” Cerf said. “What Robert Treat Academy does is tell people all over the world that a high quality extraordinary education is possible for all children.”

Robert Treat graduated its seventh class of eighth graders at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center June 24. Dressed in green and white gowns, the 48 graduates sat on the stage of the Victoria Theater as dignitaries praised them, the school and its founder, Stephen N. Adubato.

“Steve Adubato has done something very extraordinary,” Cerf said. “People like Steve who use their influence, their power, their creativity and their imagination to bring people and resources together to make something happen that changes the lives of ultimately thousands and thousands of children deserve our deep heartfelt appreciation, congratulations and gratitude.”

Robert Treat was among the first charter schools in the state when it opened in 1997. The school has since earned a reputation as one of the highest performing K-8 schools in the state, being recognized in 2008 as a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education. It opened a second campus in 2009 in Newark's Central Ward.

U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas, the first Hispanic woman to sit on the federal bench in New Jersey, said in her commencement speech that she wanted to remain connected to Robert Treat Academy after her first visit in January 2010.

“The school was just overwhelmingly full of love,” Salas said.

Salas told the graduates her story, which she said might sound familiar to many of those in the room. Her mother had left Cuba to start a new life in America. After several years of an abusive marriage, her mother left her father in California to live with an uncle in Union City. Salas said she slept on a beach lounge chair.

“I bet a lot of you are wondering why I am telling you this really sad story,” the judge said, looking at the graduates. “The reason I'm telling you this story is that I want you to know anything in life is possible if you believe in yourself.”

Katherine Morales, a 2007 graduate who gave the alumnae address, said she has Robert Treat Academy to thank for where she is today. Morales and her twin sister, Kathleen, graduated this spring from Choate Rosemary Hall, a boarding school in Connecticut. In the fall, Morales is headed to Dickinson College while her sister is attending George Washington University.

“From my first day at Robert Treat I was encouraged to try to do my best not because I had to or because I should, but because I could,” Morales said. “We were taught not to waste our potential. We were constantly encouraged to be the best we could be. There was no embarrassment for getting As. In fact, we fought to be the biggest nerd.”

Principal Theresa Adubato told the graduating class that it was a privilege and pleasure to get to know them over the past nine years.

“You have brought great joy to my life and have enriched it in ways you are too young to understand,” Adubato said. “Each of you has contributed to making the academy not just a good school but a great school. As you go off to your respective high schools, I am confident you will take with you all you have learned at Robert Treat, not just the academics, but how to be good people and contributing members of society.”

State Sen. Theresa Ruiz, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said she was a preschool teacher at The North Ward Center when many of the graduates were in preschool.

“I am completely connected to what happens here, but most importantly I am so proud,” Ruiz said.

Graduates of Robert Treat attend some of the most prestigious boarding schools in the country, including Phillips Exeter Academy, St. Andrews School, the Ethel Walker School, The Hun School, Lawrenceville, and Hotchkiss. They also attend some of New Jersey's best day schools and Newark's magnet high schools.

Valedictorian Cindy Cueva told the audience that Robert Treat allowed her to attend the high school of her dreams – Newark Academy in Livingston.

“We were definitely the fortunate ones to attend such a transcendent school,” Cueva said.

Stephen N. Adubato said Robert Treat’s said Robert Treat’s graduates are well prepared to compete with students from anywhere in the country. “Today’s graduation is proof that poor, urban minority kids can excel,” Adubato said.

During the ceremony, former Principal Michael Pallante was recognized for his role in helping to make Robert Treat what it is today. Salutatorian Kahiya McDanies and Austin Medina presented Stephen N. Adubato and his wife, Fran, a class gift. Board President Ralph Ciallella and Vice President Adrianne Davis presented the graduates their diplomas.

“This is always a special day for me,” Davis said. “To have the privilege of handing out diplomas to these fine young men and women is the highlight of serving on the board. They are the reason we do what we do.”